Eerst de waarheid, dan de vrede (2012)

Jacob Revius (1586-1658) was one of the most prominent Reformed opinion leaders in the seventeenth-century Dutch Republic, who lived through a period of revolutionary changes in science, religion and politics. He was not only a poet (he became well-known as the author of the famous poem ‘He bore our griefs’), but also a theologian who set about to reform the world by writing many historical, philosophical and theological books – mostly in Latin. Therefore the story of his life is connected to the great debates of his time. This biography (also a PhD thesis) concentrates on the life, poetry and world view of Revius, combining for the first time the theological and literary aspects of his personality. Disclosing and analysing various hitherto unknown texts, it situates Revius’ work within the theological, philosophical, political, scientific and literary discourses in which he participated.

‘This dissertation is striking because it’s scientific, popular and relevant at the same time. That is why [the publication of] this book is a happening.’
Herman Selderhuis, Calvijn uit Deventer. Nederlands Dagblad, 11 mei 2012, Gulliver 7.

‘In those ‘interviews’ you get the sudden feeling that Revius is like a living person to the author. Call it love.’
Aleid Truijens, Monument voor refo Revius. De Volkskrant, 7 juli 2012, Boeken 7.

‘In her exhaustive dissertation on the 17th century poet and theologian Jacob Revius, Enny de Bruijn shows that a biography can be very literary.’
Herman Amelink, Een empathische dichter-dominee. NRC Handelsblad, 27 juli 2012, Boeken 11.

‘Revius could have been worse off with his third biographer.’
S.D. Post, Revius integraal belicht. Reformatorisch Dagblad, 17 aug. 2012, PK 9.

Scholarly journals and professional magazines

‘De Bruijn has written an excellent and long overdue biography of a major figure in seventeenth-century Dutch history. It deserves a large audience, both inside and outside The Netherlands.’
Martine J. van Ittersum, [Review]. BGMN – Low Countries Historical Review 128-2 (2013).

‘I almost wished that Jacob Revius, W.A.P. Smit and Leen Strengholt could return to our world for a few days, to have their expert fun with this biography.’
Hans Werkman, ‘Hét boek over Revius’. Liter, christelijk literair tijdschrift 15 (nr. 67, sept. 2012), 58-60.

‘Yet, while reading many an interesting account, I felt by and by a little doubt growing, because I sometimes noticed the author’s lack of critical and analytical distance towards the protagonist.’
Paul H.A.M. Abels, [review]. Tijdschrift voor Nederlandse Kerkgeschiedenis 15-3 (sept 2012), 97-99.

‘She elevates the history of one individual as more than incidental, by putting it against the background of the most important antitheses in the Dutch Republic, as she calls them.’
Els Stronks, [review]. Nederlandse Letterkunde 17 (2012) / Recensies, 14-15